Cuban-Americans, the Cuban people, and the cause of diplomacy, all deserved far better than a 21-character tweet.
President Barack Obama from the White House just issued a balanced statement on the passing of the former head of state, Fidel Castro, using his diplomatic message to “extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people,” acknowledging “that this moment fills Cubans – in Cuba and in the United States – with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation.”
“History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him,” the United States President told the world.
Castro, of course, was a dictator, but he was also a former head of state. After re-establishing official diplomatic relations with Cuba after 50+ years of failed U.S. policy, President Obama recognizes the magnitude of Castro’s passing, and how millions around the world, and here at home, feel. No doubt many are glad, no doubt many are sad, no doubt many are experiencing a a wide spectrum of emotions.
Recognizing this, President Obama spoke not of differences but of human commonalities, and to the people.
“During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends – bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.”
A true statesman, Obama spoke from the head and from the heart, aiming to increase understanding and to use the moment as an opportunity to solidify America’s new relationship with the Cuban people, while recognizing that those who fled Castro’s Cuba to come to America are both dancing in the streets and weeping over their re-opened wounds.
“Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.”
Meanwhile, the incoming head-of-state, President-elect Donald Trump, took a different approach.
Cuban-Americans, the Cuban people, those who have been affected – for good and for ill – by Castro and his policies, and the cause of diplomacy, all deserved far better than a 21-character tweet.
UPDATE:
Trump issued a statement later Saturday morning, which he neglected to post to his transition team’s official website:
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